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    Organic Farming Methods


    2010 - 01.31

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    Posted in Techniques | No Comments »

         It is a farming practice which involves the use of eco-friendly methods to grow crops and the exclusion of synthetic products such as chemical fertilizers, insecticides and pesticides. Organic farming is practiced on 32.2 million hectares of land the world over. The International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) carries out the tasks related to setting standards and regulation of organic farming activities worldwide.

         Organic Farming Methods

         The use of organic farming methods is aimed at enhancing the productivity of crops without the use of any kind of synthetic materials and adopting a sustainable approach towards farming.

         Cultivation

         Polyculture is an important aspect of organic farming. In the traditional form of farming, monoculture is practiced, which includes growing a single crop in a given piece of land. Though the motive behind cultivating a single crop, is to reduce costs incurred in fertilizers, seeds, pesticides, etc. However, it creates problems in the long run. The reduction in the fertility of the soil owing to the extraction of nutrients over a long period and soil erosion result from the practice of monoculture. Moreover, the pests become immune to the chemicals used for their control. Polyculture is a completely different approach towards farming as compared to monoculture. In this method of farming, a variety of crops are cultivated on a single piece of land. It helps attract different soil microbes. Some crops act as repellents to pest and this results in pest control, in an organic manner.

         Fertilization (more…)

    Earthworm Farming


    2010 - 01.31

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         Earthworm farming is a natural method of composting wastes such as kitchen garbage, fallen leaves and other discarded household wastes. It is also referred to as vermicomposting. The vermicompost obtained from the earthworm farming contains beneficial nutrients and microorganisms for the plants. Hence, it can be used as an excellent nutrient supplement and soil conditioner in gardening. Some people own the business of earthworm farming to supply the compost commercially.

         Earthworm Farming

         Earthworm farming is very easy, provided that the worm farmer understands the worm requirements properly. The thumb rule of earthworm composting is to keep the medium moist and protect it from drying, water accumulation and cold temperature. There are many species of earthworm that differ in their behavior. Hence, selecting a correct earthworm species is very important for a successful farming.

         One of the most commonly employed earthworm species for vermicomposting is red wrigglers. They are not smelly and reproduce faster than other earthworm species. In order to start with farming, you can purchase these earthworms from a bait shop or other pet stores. You can opt for bulk buying of small size worms or fully grown ones that measure about 3 inch in length.

         The next step for earthworm farming is to prepare a good medium for the worms by combining the bedding with manure. Some of the bedding options include peat moss, shredded paper, leaves, sawdust, plain dirt or a combination of these. Though peat moss is favorable for the earthworms, it is comparatively costlier than the other options for preparing earthworm medium. (more…)

    Fish Farming Techniques


    2010 - 01.31

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         Fish farming is the main form of aquaculture and it is now done on a large scale, to meet the increasing demands of fish protein. As the name suggests, fish farming is the commercial raising of fish for the purpose of food. One of the forms of fish farming, called as hatchery pertains to the releasing of fish species into the tanks or enclosures, in order to supplement the fish species or increase the numbers of fish. Hatchery is made, so, that recreational fishing can be given a boost. The unprecedented increase in commercial fishing has resulted in overfishing and this has compelled the growth of fish farming, so that, the demands of fish protein can be adequately met. Salmon, carp, tilapia, catfish and cod are some of the fishes that are raised extensively in commercial fishing.

          There are two types of fish farming viz. extensive farming and intensive farming. Here is a discussion about the fish farming techniques.

         Caging Systems

         Nets or cages are popular methods of fishing in off shore coastal areas and freshwater lakes, ponds and oceans. Fish are raised in the cages, fed artificially and harvested when the numbers of fish meet the required demands of market. Some of the advantages of cage farming systems is, that this farming technique can be practiced in various types of water sources like lakes, ponds, seas and oceans, that offers flexibility to the farmers. Also, many types of fish can be raise together and the water can be used for various other purposes like water sports. In this farming method, superior quality cages are constructed and put in the water sources to raise the fish. Spread of diseases, poaching and concerns of poor quality water are some of the disadvantages of this farming system.

         Ponds (more…)

    Spain’s Greenhouse Effect


    2010 - 01.31

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         The shimmering surface is down to an agricultural gold rush that has turned one of Spain’s poorest corners into Europe’s largest greenhouse. An area so arid and dusty that it provided the backdrop for spaghetti westerns, Almería has made a fortune by covering itself with a canopy of transparent plastic. Above all, it is a monument to the way we now grow our food. Almería, and the area around it, is Europe’s winter market garden, spread across 135 square miles.

         Symbols of hastily acquired wealth abound. Farmers glint with gold jewellery. New shopping malls rise above the plastic. Immigrants from as far off as Mali, Colombia or Ukraine offer their toil and their sweat. Instead of trying to sell cars or banks, billboards advertise seeds.

         Antonio Moreno, one of thousands of smallholders who have built this plastic jungle, knows how to put fresh tomatoes on British tables in January or courgettes at Christmas. He grows crops that have no direct contact with nature beyond sun, air and water. “You really should wear shorts in here,” he says in the 45C (113F) heat as he points to tubes from which tomato plants sprout.

         Mr Moreno’s plants will never touch soil - they grow from bags filled with oven-puffed grains of white perlite stone. Chemical fertilisers are drip-fed to each plant from four large, computer-controlled vats in a nearby room. He talks proudly of his vats. They hold, he says, potassium nitrate, magnesium and potassium sulphate, calcium nitrate and phosphoric acid. “The plants get exactly what they need, nothing more and nothing less,” he says. “There is no waste.”

         Swamped

         He will crop tomatoes continuously from October to July. The greenhouses are so successful that they have swamped the plain of Dalías, where people such as Mr Moreno’s father used money earned in French car factories or Swiss restaurants to buy small plots. Now the sheeting is moving up the valleys of the nearby Alpujarra hills, one of Spain’s most bucolic, unspoiled areas. Diggers are also gouging terraces in nearby Granada province.

         “They block up dry riverbeds and destroy mountainsides but nobody does anything, however much we complain,” says environmentalist Juan Antonio Martínez, surveying the scarred hills at Albuñol. “If there is a serious storm, much of this will be washed away.” (more…)

    Intensive Farming


    2010 - 01.31

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         Intensive farming is an agricultural system that aims to produce maximum yield from available land. This farming is applicable to the yield of the livestock also. You could say food is produced in large quantities with the help of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. The products such as eggs, meat and many agricultural products available in many supermarkets are produced using modern intensive farming. Intensive farming is practiced widely by many of the developed economies of the world. Sustainable intensive farming, intensive aquaculture, intensive live stock farming and managed intensive grazing fall under intensive farming. Here we look at both the advantages and the disadvantages of intensive farming.

         Advantages of Intensive Farming

         One of the major advantages of intensive farming is that its yield is high.

         With the introduction of intensive farming, the farm produce such as vegetables, fruits and poultry products have become less expensive. This means that poor people can afford a balanced and nutritious diet.

         Many opine, organic food is affordable only to the rich and the elite strata of the society. Apart from that, large farming spaces are required to cultivate organic crops using natural manure. However, with the introduction of intensive farming, the space requirement for farming is less.

         Another advantage of intensive farming is that large productivity of food is possible with less amount of land. This would help to meet the ever-growing demand for food supplies.

         Compared to the disadvantages, the advantages of intensive farming are less.

         Disadvantages of Intensive Farming (more…)

    House Framing


    2010 - 01.31

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         The most important tip to the modern home owner to be organized! It is essential to pre-plan the whole exercise and keep updated track of the transactions and trade involved in the framing requirement. This includes the correct assessment and timely assimilation of the required material to complete the job on hand. It is essential to strike an understanding with the local lumber yard owner or the in-house executives. This is with the intent to ensure that all the material required is delivered on time, including some of the extra trusses and window and door frame requirements. Mechanical requirements should also be taken care of simultaneously. Apply for a Gas Meter, if the work is extensive and also plan out the desired alterations, especially if they are absolutely necessary to the framing solution. Pre-planning will always save you money, time and effort later. Settle only for the best framing deal possible within your budget.

         Consider the use of a crane to lift the trusses to the roof and to lift heavy items that need to be stacked within the home prior to the framing work. You should carefully plan the installation of large items like bathtubs and heating system before the plumbing, since the work only becomes messier and damaging to the property if not in sequence. It makes sense to pre-place the cabinets to be installed and mark the heating and plumbing jobs. Prior to electrical and plumbing undertakings, it is better to double check for squeaking pipes and fittings. Do not attempt rewiring of the telephone cables, if there is a shift in placement. It is better to abide by the telecom rules and call in the telephone and cable company experts to install the required wires.

         You should tie up with the window and door suppliers, to ensure that these essentials are delivered as soon as the professional framers complete the roof. This will enable timely and systematic execution and installation of the doors and windows and completion of all the framing at one time. Double check the price quoted for the window and door fixtures. It should include the cost of the screen and the security locks. You must be well versed with the professionals and authorities who are designated to look into the house framing components. While the plumbing and heating jobs accomplished in the home will be inspected by City Hall authorities, the Provisional Inspector will ensure that the electrical system adheres to the set standards and the Building inspector from City Hall is in charge to inspecting the framing and reporting discrepancies, if any. The inspections are with the sole intention to ensure that the home is safe for you to live in. (more…)

    Cattle Farming


    2010 - 01.31

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         There are various ways in which you can implement cattle farming to your benefit. You can either rear cattle for organic farming or dairy purposes or you can raise them to sell directly to beef wholesalers or consumers. You can either take up cattle farming as a sole activity or combine it with other livestock farming activities. However, undertaking only cattle farming means more profit at very less efforts.

         Why Cattle Farming

         If you have tried your hand at any of the livestock farming activities, you must have realized that it is no kid’s play. You have to look after several management issues such as animal feed, disease control, market returns etc. Though, cattle farming does not alleviate any of these issues, it certainly reduces the labor efforts behind each of the tasks. Since, cattle are naturally sturdy, they are less prone to diseases and infections as compared to other livestock. Similarly, since you do not rear cattle in large numbers, the feeding problems associated with every individual cattle are reduced. Moreover, transportation of cattle for buying or selling purpose is also easy.

         Cattle Farming for Beginners

         If you are a novice in this field, then you might need to consult someone who may be able to guide you on cattle farming. Firstly, you need to understand if you have all the resources for cattle farming at your disposal. If not, you’ll have to see if you can arrange for them. Depending upon your purpose, you’ll have to make a cattle farming business plan that will take into account your resources and expenses. A concrete business plan can give you an insight on whether this business is feasible for you or not. If the purpose of your business is to raise calves for meat, then you should buy only a few high quality cows and impregnate them either with artificial insemination or you may require the services of herd bull. The calves should be fed until they attain a weight of 400 pounds. They can be a lucrative option for beef wholesalers if you feed them a little over 400 pounds. Read more about what is a business plan.

         While buying cattle you should take into account a few facts. It is always best to go for regular sized cattle or buy all cattle that is more or less the same size. This can alleviate the animal-specific feeding issues. It is best to avoid animals with abnormal fat as they are likely to gain weight over a period of time. Generally, an alert animal that moves around normally and has bright eyes is considered best for cattle farming. Avoid buying cattle that does not meet these basic requirements. Thus, along with the breed of the animal, one should also focus on its size and quality. More on artificial insemination in cattle.

         Farmers are slowly becoming aware of the myriad attractive opportunities in the cattle farming business. An intelligent insight of market conditions, a good understanding of the needs in your local region, marketing strategies and a sturdy business plan that covers all the possibilities can easily allow you to encash these opportunities.
     
         Get more information here.

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